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Melbourne

Amid the obvious disappointment of his fans and criticism from his enemies, Andy Murray should be applauded for another fine tournament in which he came up just a .

When I used to race back up the hill from school to watch the rest of the day's play at Wimbledon, it would be in the hope that or would make the third round. This would be a British tennis triumph. We were worse than rubbish in those days, let's not forget it.

Three major finals is more than John Lloyd, Roger Taylor, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski put together. Andy Murray is comfortably the best tennis player these isles have been blessed with since Stockport's finest, Fred Perry and we should continue to support and celebrate him.

Novak Djokovic fully deserved his Australian Open victory. He was comfortably the player of the tournament and his defending in the final was nothing short of amazing. To win that incredible 38-stroke rally to earn a set point in the first, having looked out of the point three or four times, displayed the courage and ability of a Grand Slam champion. Congratulations Novak.

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was undoubtedly one of Andy Murray's best Grand Slam victories.

Far from perfect, indeed at times he looked severely out of touch, but a pressure-point performance to beat an inspired top-10 opponent and show his major mettle.

He was on the edge of despair when set point down in the second and, much later - in the game after being stunned by two unbelievable Ferrer volleys - he was two points away from losing the fourth and going all the way against one of the toughest guys on tour.

To save set point with an ace - albeit having forgotten the score - and then to play two magnificent tie-breaks shows he is made for occasions like this.

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It was impossible not to feel for Rafael Nadal, both as he departed Rod Laver Arena, his dream of four successive majors dashed, and when he faced the media, fielding questions from international inquisitors, some of whom clearly could not feel his pain.

For the second year in a row, injury had forced the Spaniard out of the quarter finals of the Australian Open. Twelve months ago, he retired against Andy Murray with knee trouble. This time,

As the Australia Day fireworks went off in the park next door, a disconsolate Nadal stretched and stared into space. The dream was lost in the glaze of his eyes.

The 24-year-old told the assembled media that he had been determined not to quit - he "hated" the feeling of retirement against Murray - but admitted afterwards that the contest was "almost over" before the players had really got into their stride.

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After some first-week wonkiness, losing some sets he would not expect to, Roger Federer looked close to his best in over fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The world number two's general command of the court stood out. He moved forwards at every opportunity, dominating his good friend from the word "play". Wawrinka won only two points in the first three games, setting the tone for the rest of the match.

As the contest went on, bringing out the crowd-pleasing shots to demonstrate his confidence and on-court contentment.

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Andy Murray has just torn the 11th-best player in the world to shreds, dropping a mere five games in the process, and looks in magnificent form going into the quarter-finals.

For non-tennis fanatics, his demolition of Jurgen Melzer warrants context to emphasise just how impressive it was.

At the weekend, the world number 199, Bernard Tomic, caused constant trouble for the world number one, Rafa Nadal, and the world number 152, Milos Raonic, beat the 10th seed Mikhail Youzhny.

Even today, number 46 beat number four as Dolgopolov put out Soderling.

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Torrential rain here in Melbourne has made for a chaotic build-up to the first major of the tennis season with people everywhere in the player zone, stalls and stands half-constructed and the qualifying tournament behind schedule.

For most of Thursday, with no play possible, hundreds of players, coaches, family and friends were crammed into the tight player lounge and paranoia quickly set in. Players were afraid to stand up and do anything at the risk of losing their seats!

I saw one minor altercation, illustrating the cabin fever. One false move towards the pasta and the chair's a gonner. It's every man for himself at a major tournament.

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